Welcome to the Blue Butterfly Blog

Thousands of families suffer in silence from the loss of a pregnancy or an infant. My struggle is just beginning. I carried twins to term knowing that only one would survive. This is the story of my journey through shock, devastation, grief, anger, and hopefully someday acceptance. I know that other families are desperate to know that they are not suffering alone. This is for them.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The Value of Care

I can't put a value on saving my daughter's life, but the hospital sure can - $117,372. That is the grand total for "room and board" at the NICU for 26 days. Spyder's care and autopsy was probably about half of that. Thankfully, our insurance covers most of the costs, but truly I would pay that amount and more for the love and attention that the doctors and nurses gave to both of the babies.

I am not condoning the astronomical health care costs in this country. I cannot even imagine how an uninsured mother would ever recover from a financial setback like this. I am simply saying that everything I have today, I owe to the staff of Grant Medical Center.

So how do I properly thank them all? Obvisouly, I'll start by paying my bill. I also tell as many people as will listen about the positive experience we had at Grant. But neither of those things tell the doctors and nurses how much they meant to us.

When I first went into labor, Michelle and Susan spent many unsure hours with me, helping me fulfill my "daily plan" of staying pregnant. Dr. Halpern waited and reassured me as I finally lost my nerve and broke down.

In the long-term wing, Jane brought me nail polish and Gina found me books at the library. Jen scheduled my blood draws for late morning so I could sleep in, Kelly helped throw my baby shower, and Holly kept me company at night. Drs. Alderman and Corley checked on me every day.

On labor day, Christa and Michelle waited after their shift to see the babies born. They cried in the hallway for Spyder. They hugged my mom. There were 12 nurses and two doctors making sure that Poppy pulled through and that Spyder had the best life possible. Michelle took my camera and snapped dozens of photos of Spyder with our families. Nicole, Holly, and Roberta helped me through the night and took special care of Spyder as he laid in my room with Brad and me. Holly took me to see Poppy.

Drs. Mingione and Moraille came with Kamil to see Spyder before he was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital for his autopsy. Dr. Mingione hugged us. Chaplin Diane took Spyder from my room while we visited Poppy.

Poppy's bff's in the NICU were Danielle, Becky, Ashley, and Sam. Dr. Naik and Char took special care of her. Dr. Moraille kept us laughing with his optimism and humor. Everyone was sad for us when we didn't go home the first time we were scheduled to, but they said they were secretly glad to see Poppy a little longer.

Poppy's bulletin board in the NICU

I think of these people and many more every single day. To them, we were patients at their place of work, though they never let us feel that way. To us, they were angels to whom we owe so much.

2 comments:

We share this story. I was due on March 22nd with twins. Twin A, a boy, Christian, had TD. Twin B, a girl, Julia, was developmentally normal. I went into preterm labor and had them on January 20th of this year. Christian lived one hour. Julia spent a month in the NICU. As I read through your blog, it was if I was reading my own thoughts all over again. It was scarily exact. I haven't grieved for Christian yet, because after Julia came home, she contracted RSV and almost died. We spent one month in the PICU. We have now been home for about 3 weeks. I am finally starting to mourn after their birth (I of course mourned during the pregnancy). I want to thank you for putting my feelings into words.

Christina, that is absolutely amazing! Our stories are so similar. The RSV must have been so terrifying - I can't imagine what I would have felt if Poppy had gotten sick. I hope that Julia is recovered and bringing you joy. At least we know we aren't alone. Something my therapist told me was that Spyder would always be a part of Poppy's story. I really hold onto that. So, everytime you tell Julia about her beginnings, you'll be able to remember Christian. And I know you've probably heard it a thousand times, but congratulations and I am so sorry for your loss. It's weird to hear those things together, isn't it. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

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About Me

My twin babies were born at a day shy of 32 weeks. One is a preemie, but healthy and full of life. The other struggled for his breath and lived but one precious hour. I am writing to share my experience and to hopefully send comfort to other mothers in my situation.